Artists celebrate Hispanic heritage

Beacon gallery opening exhibit

By Michelle J. Lee
Poughkeepsie Journal

 

Courtesy photo "Earth Song," a painting by Rafael Figueroa, is one of the many works that celebrate Hispanic culture on exhibit at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon.

As a child in Peru, Nestor Madalengoitia was first inspired to paint while looking at white stucco walls.

''I remember as a kid painting the walls of my house. My mother chased me, yelling, told me not to do that,'' he said.

Now the City of Poughkeepsie resident makes a living as an artist, bringing life to walls by painting murals on buildings throughout the streets of Poughkeepsie.

Madalengoitia teaches local middle and high school students how to create their own murals through the Mill Street Loft, a nonprofit group which focuses on arts education. He also has his own studio on Main Street.

Madalengoitia is just one of 17 talented Hispanic-American artists who contributed to ''Master Peace,'' an upcoming art show at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon. This is the fifth year the center is holding an all Hispanic-American show. The show was created to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

The art show also acknowledges local and New York City-based Hispanic-American artists and the growing Hispanic population, said curator Florence Northcutt.

Works reflect diversity

According to the U.S. Census, 18,060 people in Dutchess County said they were Hispanic/Latino, a population that grew 30 percent between 1990 and 1999.

Overall, the exhibition contains 67 pieces of art covering a broad spectrum of mediums, including painting, photography and sculpture.

The diversity of the works reflect that of the artists, who come from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Spain.

The show is dedicated to world peace. The title, a word play that suggests a connection between peace and art, was coined by Beacon artist Rafael Figueroa.

Peace and multiculturalism is a strong theme in Figueroa's work. Figueroa, who was born in Puerto Rico, attributes those ideas to his upbringing in New York City.

In ''Earth Song,'' a rainbow-hued woman is drumming in the middle of a valley. Her eyes are closed and there is a smile on her face. The pastel yellows, blues and greens of the painting give a sense of serenity. The mountain and river image also gives the piece a universal quality.

''I was just thinking about peace, not only for humankind but the earth as well, a meditation back to earth,'' Figueroa said. ''All of the colors represent all of us.''

Josephine Monter, a resident of Garrison, chose to honor Afghan women in her works.

''They suffer so much, politically. I painted women with burqas and veils, hoping they eventually won't have to wear it,'' she said.

''Haunting Eyes'' depicts a woman wearing an orange-peach veil. While her face is visible, the rest of her is shrouded. There is no expression on her face, but the intense red and blue swirls in her eyes reflect the harshness of her life.

In ''Concentration,'' a woman wearing a yellow burqa sits on a plain of sand, her back turned to the viewer. The contrast between deep blue sky and the yellowness of the burqa and sand give a sense of harmony in the bleak desert.

Other artists chose to focus on local subjects.

Elisa Pritzker, a Highland artist, gallery owner and co-founder of the Highland Cultural Center, decided to focus on the Hudson Valley, creating ''mini boxes,'' small 2- by 2-inch panoramas, depicting local images such as Mohonk Mountain House and the New Paltz bridge.

''I was motivated by the beauty of the Hudson Valley,'' she said. ''People who walk by, a bird. I try to capture moments of life.''

IF YOU GO
ART EXHIBIT
What -- ''Master Peace,'' art show of Hispanic-American works.
When -- Opening reception, Saturday 3-5 p.m. Exhibit runs through Sept. 29.
Where -- Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon.
Admission -- Free.
Information -- For gallery hours and more information, call (845) 831-4988.